The Sheikh Of Controversy. Social and political topics regarding the UAE and the region.

Monday, October 27, 2008

The Special Immigration Zones: How to solve the Visa Runner's ProblemCheck this article out from the Gulf News.

Since the issue of the visa runner is a very sensitive one, and with the UAE government very precarious about allowing people between visas to stay in the UAE, a special Immigration zone should be formed.

This will basically be a number of fully enclosed secured areas, visa-wise not considered part of the UAE therefore allowing anyone to enter it even if he/she does not have visas. It is basically a free city. They should be situated near airports and with budget accomodation, facilities, an immigration office and a secured train that will go to the regional airport. Once the visa issue is sorted out, the entrant can leave the SIZ (Special Immigration Zone) and proceed to his work.

The benefits behind this are:

Cutting back on the effort needed by applicants to renew the visas, a drive to the SIZ with a few days stay being easier than having to fly to Kish and back.

Allowing them close contacts with anyone that would help them in their visa process. Their companies, their governments, the UAE Government.

Ensuring that funds that would otherwise go into the pockets of Ahmedinjad's corrupt social services programs would go into the UAE economy.

This city being a totally visa-free zone could develop into something of its own.

It is imperative that the government provide an Emirati solution to an Emirati problem. Allowing these people to rot in Kish is not the answer.

15 comments:

nice one bu shihab.. very very smart idea.. and to be honest i wouldn't stop there.. i'd aim to remove all these SIZ's in 5 years because by then you can transfer visas from one employer to the next without having to leave the uae. such a backward system in my eyes.

honestly the reason the uae has the edge over our competitors is because we think ahead and they country has the necessary infrastructure. so if we make the laws and regulations too tough and pointless then people will find other places to go to.. and other countries know it.. qatar, bahrain, oman etc are not just coming to the uae coz we're the first country to have ikea in the gulf..

A little off topic but I don't know where to turn.A friend of mine is facing financial trouble in Dubai and I wonder if anyone here has any good advice on the issue. He is sincere in his efforts to solve this in a decent manner.

I hate to whine or nag or whatever but it seems as if I go to the trouble to bookmark you and check back periodically, you could have the decency to write something awesome to keep me entertained and engaged. Please?

I'm a student who has been reading your blog as part of an assignment for a course I have been taking. The problem of visa running is a very interesting and sad problem. This post is a couple of months old so I was just wondering if the emirati government has done anything to remedy the problem recently or if there is anybody advancing ideas like yours for the SIZ on a larger scale. Thank you.